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Economy

Obi Knocks Soyinka, Falana, Other Protest Leaders Over Silence On Current Economic Hardship

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Tinubu In 2027

Obi Knocks Soyinka, Falana, Other Protest Leaders Over Silence On Current Economic Hardship

Obi knocks Soyinka, Falana, other protest leaders over silence on current economic hardship. The #OccupyNigeria protest broke out in January 2012 in response to Mr Jonathan’s move to scrap fuel subsidy.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party has taken a jab at prominent Nigerians and others who ganged up in protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan when he pushed for fuel subsidy removal in 2012, but are now silent as President Bola Tinubu implements the same policy.

At the memorial of the late Edwin Clark on Wednesday, Mr Obi described the statesman as one who sacrificed for Nigeria but berated other prominent Nigerians like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Femi Falana, and others who led the protests that shut down the country over Mr Jonathan’s fuel subsidy removal move more than a decade ago.

“I listened to my brother Mike when you talked about, ‘may the Labour of our heroes’ past not be in vain’. I’m happy that Jonathan is here. But I can tell you their sacrifice is in vain.

They have sacrificed for nothing. We were in this country, when people were protesting, when there was no need to protest under Goodluck Jonathan. Where are those protesters? Have they died? Where are they?” Mr Obi said.

Making reference to the historic #OccupyNigeria protest in 2012, Mr Obi said: “Jonathan increased fuel from N87 to N120 and people were protesting in this country. And when it was N900 they weren’t protesting. People protested when $1 was N180, and when it was N1,500 they weren’t protesting. Are they dead?”

The #OccupyNigeria protest broke out in January 2012 in response to Mr Jonathan’s move to scrap fuel subsidy, forcing a reversal of the policy.

Over a decade later, Mr Tinubu—who was a staunch opponent of subsidy removal—announced fuel subsidy removal on May 29, 2023, the day he assumed office as Nigeria’s 16th President.

Tinubu In 2027

Peter Obi

The announcement saw fuel prices skyrocket from N145 to over N1,000, and later drop slightly to N950.
Days later, Mr Tinubu also announced exchange rate unification—a policy that saw the Nigerian naira collapse from N750 to the dollar to over N1500 to the dollar.

The dual policies of the Tinubu-led government have triggered unprecedented economic hardships, forcing Nigerians to hit the streets in protest.

Though some of the prominent Nigerians who participated in the #OccupyNigeria protests have remained silent, thousands of Nigerians shut down the country in a 10-day protest between August 1–10

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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